Qatari Prime Minister: Netanyahu is a rogue and practices state terrorism

Qatar described Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening as a “rogue” who practices “state terrorism,” and asked in a denunciatory tone: Will he reshape the Gulf?

This came at a press conference held by Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, following an Israeli airstrike targeting Hamas’ negotiating team in Doha.

This is the first Israeli attack against a Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) country, which includes Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Al Thani said, “Today, Doha was subjected to a treacherous attack by the Israeli occupation forces, which can only be interpreted in the context of state terrorism”.

He explained that “the attack targeted the headquarters of Hamas’s political bureau leadership during negotiations,” regarding reaching an agreement with Israel for a prisoner exchange and a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

Al Thani added, “The Israeli attack that took place today on Qatari soil can only be called state terrorism”.

He added that this terrorism “is practiced by someone like Netanyahu within the context of these systematic policies and his ongoing attempts to destabilize regional security and stability”.

He considered the Israeli attack a clear message to the region as a whole.

He continued, “This message indicates that there is a rogue player in this region, and there is ongoing political unrest in this region and a violation of the sovereignty of states”.

“Netanyahu himself has repeatedly stated that he will reshape the Middle East… Is this a message that he will reshape the Gulf as well?” Al Thani said.

He added, “We believe that today we have reached a pivotal moment where there must be a response from the entire region to such barbaric actions”.

He stressed that these actions “reflect the barbarism of this person (Netanyahu), who is leading the region to a level that is unfortunately irreparable”.

The attack on Qatar came despite its mediation role, alongside Egypt and under US supervision, in indirect negotiations between Hamas and Israel.

Al Thani said, “This attack was not only a blatant violation of all international laws, but also exceeded the most basic ethical standards”.

He explained, “We’re talking about an intermediary state of Qatar hosting official negotiations under declared sponsorship, with official delegations in attendance”.

He continued, “Then the missiles are directed to target the negotiating delegation of the other party (Hamas)”.

He asked, “By what logic or moral standard can this be accepted? What happened can only be described as blatant treachery”.

Regarding his country’s actions, Al Thani said: “Qatar affirms that it will not tolerate any infringement on its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and will deal firmly with any reckless breach or attack that affects its security and threatens the stability of the region”.

He added, “Qatar reserves the right to respond to this blatant attack and will take all necessary measures to respond”.

He added, “Therefore, a comprehensive review of policies and procedures will begin tomorrow, God willing, to ensure that these actions are deterred and prevented from recurring”.

Regarding the negotiations on Gaza, Al Thani said: “In recent days, intensive negotiations have taken place at the request of the American side to discuss the latest paper it presented”.

He stressed that “the Israeli side deliberately worked to obstruct every effort aimed at opening a window for peace”.

He asked, “Does the world need a clearer message than this? Who is closing the door to peace? Does the international community still need additional proof? Who is the real bully in the region?”

He added, “There are no ongoing talks regarding a deal in light of the Israeli attack. Nothing is in place after today’s attack”.

However, Al Thani said that Qatar’s mediation role will continue.

He stressed that stability in the region won’t be achieved through war, but through diplomacy.

Regarding the failure to detect the aggression, Al Thani said that Israel used weapons that weren’t detected by radar in his country.

He added that the US side didn’t inform Qatar of the attack until 10 minutes after it occurred.

He added, “We’ve been in contact with friendly and sisterly countries regarding the Israeli attack on Doha to discuss the measures we will take”.

The Israeli aggression against Qatar’s sovereignty sparked Arab and international condemnation, with calls for deterring Tel Aviv to halt its attacks, which violate international law.

Earlier on Tuesday, Israel claimed responsibility for the attack targeting Hamas leaders in Qatar, without addressing its outcome.

While Hamas announced that its negotiating delegation, led by its head in Gaza, Khalil al Hayya, survived the assassination attempt, Jihad Labad, the director of al Hayya’s office, his son, Humam al Hayya, and three bodyguards were killed: Abdullah Abdul Wahid, Moamen Hassouna, and Ahmed al Mamluk.

The Qatari Ministry of Interior reported in a statement that a member of the Internal Security Forces was martyred and others were injured.